The Odd Object Essay “PostSecret: Not so Secret”

1. The Odd Object Essay“PostSecret: Not so Secret” by Kelly Giffear Biochemistry Major, Spanish Minor from Mantua, New Jersey English 110 Assignment Professor Paula Patch HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

2. Introduction “I’ve hooked up with 3 A.L.E. Agents” Or “PEZ tastes so much better from the dispenser” What if you overheard a student or friend say… Your reaction depends on which one you heard, right? Well PostSecretis a project that allows anyone to write any secret, regardless of the severity, on a postcard and then publish the postcard. But what is the deeper meaning? Is it for self-healing, communication, narcissism, or are there other problems associated with the project? That was my goal- to explore PostSecreton a deeper level. HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

3. Project Description:The Odd Object Essay • What?! • The Odd Object essay was a challengeto choose any object and explore the larger meaning behind it. The object could be used as a metaphor or it could help explain a larger issue. It was a very open essay assignment that was designed to sharpen analyzing skills. • My project… • I included the original PostSecret project as well both Elon versions of the project. One was done through The Pendulum and the other was created by a senior for a leadership project. (examples from The Pendulum are above) • Why?! • To inform the Elon community (students, faculty, police) of the potential dangers and problems associated with the project that most people do not think of at first. HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

4. My Writing Process • Biggest challenge- finding a purpose and audience. [answering the “So what? Who cares?”] • I originally wrote the essay with the sources that I found and allowed my findings to guide my writing. • Just a few days before the assignment was due I saw website about a PostSecret being used as a healing tool for sexually assaulted victims on The Pendulum. • So what?! I had a current topic to work with, and audience to write to (the Elon community). • The product- a reaction to the article I found. • By editing and researching more on my topic, I gained the confidence to pinpoint what I wanted to discuss in my essay and then complete it. • Strengths • The subject • PostSecret, it is not only well-known but it is integrated in Elon’s campus in multiple ways. • This allowed me to create an essay that would draw people’s attention and that someone would care about. • The argument • When most people think of PostSecret they think of the pretty postcards with ridiculous secrets that they can laugh at. • I wanted my audience to see the potential dangers that accompany the revealing postcards. T • How? Through different examples and opinions, I was able to introduce a new and relevant argument. • Weaknesses • Finding a good audience at first • Quickly making an argument from my research • It took a long time (just up until the essay was due for me to find the right direction that I wanted to take my paper in. HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

5. ENG 110 Objective-“A more sophisticated understanding of the relationship of purpose, audience, and voice, and an awareness that writing expectations and conventions vary within the academy and in professional and public discourse.” • Audience – Elon Community • Why? PostSecret has gained global status but I global audience would be very difficult to cater to. • I started off general and then narrowed my paper to my audience. • Elon has 2 versions of the project so that it where I took my paper. The Elon community should care about what is going on. • Purpose – To inform Elon of PostSecret’s potential dangers. • PostSecret has been said to be therapeutic, but after examining all of the possible effects it could cause more damage. • It could ruin author’s reputations and causes dilemma’s like should Elon police take the postcards seriously and investigate certain issues? • Voice – My own! • Since I am a member of the Elon community, I maintained an informal voice that everyone can relate to . • I wanted to connect with my audience and use the same language that they use. • But… • Not all essays can have these freedoms • I chose a more informal style because I saw my essay as a newspaper article and not a scholarly journal for experts • Either way, it was still liberating to not have to follow a lab write-up procedure! HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

6. Lessons Learned About my Writing About PostSecret The multiple ways the postcards are published The multiple reasons why people create the postcards I saw emotions such as happiness, fear, sadness, anger, and relief in the postcards All of the effects (healing or dangerous) • I can have fun with my writing • By choosing a subject I like • By doing research because I want to • By writing a paper that includes my own opinion • I can be engaged in writing • When I care about something I put a lot more effort and work into it.. • It can be interesting • If the subject and audience fit together and answer the “Who cares?” “So what?” question. HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences

7. References to Postcards All postcards were from The Pendulum’s website and can be found at this link: http://stream.elon.edu/pendulum/postsecret2.pdf For more Information on PostSecret visit: www.postsecretcommunity.com HomeIntroductionProject DescriptionMy Writing Process ENG 110 ObjectiveLessons LearnedReferences